LONDON – US-China Negotiations Continue

As the discussions between the US and China extend into their second night in London, US officials provide updates on the situation.

Trade talks are set to kick off on Monday and are expected to wrap up by Tuesday morning, ensuring Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent has enough time to head back to Washington, D.C. for a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

However, consultations have been prolonged, with expectations that they will carry on into the evening.

A Chinese delegation, led by the deputy prime minister, departed Lancaster House—a historic venue for the talks—around 5:30 PM, which US officials interpreted as a brief pause. Reports indicate discussions will pick back up around 8 PM.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick left the site shortly after, around 6:20 PM.

“We could do more. We’ll be back at 8 o’clock,” Lutnick shared with reporters outside Lancaster House.

It remains uncertain whether Bescent will conclude his negotiations in time to attend the hearing at the House Ways and Means Committee. Bescent and Greer stayed at Lancaster House after Lutnick’s departure.

Earlier, the Chinese delegation had left just over an hour after lunch was served at the venue.

Meetings commenced around 10:40 AM on Tuesday, following a Monday session that ended at approximately 8 PM.

When he arrived on Tuesday morning, Lutnick remarked that the discussions were “going well.” Bescent noted the previous day’s meeting was a “good meeting.” US trade representative Jamieson Greer, who is also part of the delegation, did not address reporters upon his arrival.

Treasury officials mentioned that both sides were “ironing out technical details,” indicating that the discussions have become more intricate than initially anticipated.

The main objective for American negotiators is to rejuvenate the deal that was established in Geneva last month. Washington is optimistic regarding Beijing’s commitment to boosting shipments of rare earth elements to US firms. However, US officials have expressed frustration over delays, warning that these hold-ups could impact domestic production.

On the flip side, China is focusing on lifting trade restrictions placed by the Trump administration, particularly concerning high-tech microchips utilized in artificial intelligence. Additionally, there has been pushback from China regarding proposals to deny visas to Chinese students intending to study in American universities, although Trump had previously indicated he would abandon such plans.